JP5264346B2 - Cassette loading structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent defective printing due to incomplete loading of a cassette by a method wherein loading of a cassette is surely completed in association with a closing action of a door so as to cover an insertion hole for insertion of the cassette. <P>SOLUTION: A slide member 4 provided on a door 20 is urged upward and moves while abutting an eject knob 3 in accordance with closing action of the door 20. With the movement, a part (a projection 4d) of the slide member 4 abuts a cassette 1 and the cassette 1 is moved to a loading completion position. After completion of loading of the cassette 1, the eject knob 3 is moved upward. In association with the movement, the slide member 4 is moved to a position where the slide member 4 is retracted from the cassette 1. With the above structure, by advancing of the closing action, the loading of the cassette 1 together with the closing action of the door 20 is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention is, for example, loaded with recording paper ink sheet integral cassette is relates to the cassette loading structure of the printer device that performs printing.

  In a printer apparatus using a recording paper / ink sheet integrated cassette (hereinafter referred to as a cassette), if printing is started in a state where the cassette is not fully loaded, a problem occurs in the conveyance of the ink sheet, resulting in a printing failure. End up.

  23 to 26 as conventional examples, means for preventing printing from being started in a state where the cassette in the printer apparatus as described above is not fully loaded will be described.

  FIG. 23 is an overall view of the printer in a state where loading of the cassette is completed. In FIG. 23, 30 is a printer, 1 is a recording paper ink sheet integrated cassette, and 32 is a door that covers the cassette insertion portion. In this figure, the loading of the cassette 1 is completed and the door 32 is opened. Reference numeral 3 denotes an eject knob for taking out the cassette 1.

  FIG. 24 is a view showing the printer 30 before the loading of the cassette 1 is completed. In this figure, the eject knob 3 is located on the lower side. When the loading of the cassette 1 is completed in the printer 30, the eject knob 3 is moved upward as shown in FIG. It is supposed to move. When the cassette 1 is taken out, the cassette 1 can be taken out by moving the eject knob 3 downward. A mechanism for moving the eject knob 3 in conjunction with loading of the cassette 1 will be described in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 25 is a view showing a detection switch for detecting ON / OFF according to the position of the eject knob 3. Reference numeral 22 denotes a part (cassette insertion slot) that forms around the cassette insertion slot. Reference numeral 35 denotes a detection switch, and reference numeral 35 a denotes a lever portion of the detection switch 35. The detection switch 35 detects ON when the lever portion 35a is pushed upward in the drawing. Reference numeral 36 denotes a board on which the detection switch 35 is mounted, and reference numerals 37a and 37b denote wiring members, which are electrically connected to a print control unit (not shown) in the printer 30 to turn ON / OFF the detection switch 35. Communicate the signal. It should be noted that the detection switch 35 and the substrate 36 are in a position hidden by the external parts of the printer 30 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 26 shows the detection switch 35 when loading of the cassette 1 is completed. This figure shows a state where the loading of the cassette 1 is completed and the eject knob 3 is moved upward. In FIG. 26, 3a is the convex part formed in the eject knob 3, and it contacts the lever part 35a with a movement, and moves the lever part 35a of the detection switch 35 to upper side. As a result, the detection switch 35 detects the ON state. Then, when the detection switch 35 is in the ON state, the print control unit in the printer 30 is informed so that printing can be started.

  23 and 24, reference numeral 32a denotes a claw portion formed on the door 32. When the door 32 is closed, the claw portion engages with a claw portion (not shown) of the printer 30 to complete the closing operation of the door 32. . Even if the loading of the cassette 1 is not completed and the eject knob 3 is on the lower side, the door 32 can be closed. An overall view of the printer main body after the door 32 is closed is as shown in FIG.

  23 and 24, reference numeral 34 denotes an LCD display unit. When the loading of the cassette 1 is incomplete, the fact that the detection switch 35 is OFF as described above is transmitted to the print control unit, and the LCD display unit 34 displays that the loading of the cassette 1 is incomplete. . Thus, the user is prompted to complete the loading of the cassette 1, and the printing control unit controls the printing so as not to start printing, thereby preventing printing failure due to incomplete loading of the cassette 1.

  In a conventional printer apparatus using a recording paper / ink sheet integrated cassette, the above-described configuration prevents printing defects due to incomplete loading of the cassette. As a prior art of means for preventing incomplete loading of this type of cassette, there is a description in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2005-49446 A

  However, the conventional prevention measures require a detection switch, a board for mounting it, a wiring material for connecting to the printing control unit, and the assembly of the board and wiring material is complicated for assembly. There were problems of increased costs and increased man-hours for assembly.

  Also, a method of loading the cassette in conjunction with the door closing operation by pushing the cassette in the insertion direction by bringing the cassette into contact with the inner wall surface of the door by closing the door covering the cassette is also conceivable. However, depending on the position of the inner wall surface of the door, the cassette may not move to the loading completion position even if the door closing operation is completed, or the cassette loading completion is completed before the door closing operation is completed. Since the door is fixed, the door closing operation may not be completed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual circumstances, and realizes a means for reliably completing the loading of the cassette in conjunction with the closing operation of the door and preventing printing defects due to incomplete loading of the cassette with inexpensive parts. With the goal.

The cassette loading structure of the present invention includes a cassette insertion slot for loading a cassette on which an ink sheet is wound, and an open / close lid that can be opened and closed so as to cover the cassette insertion slot, and prints ink on the ink sheet on photographic paper. A cassette loading structure in the printer device,
A first member whose position is switched upon completion of loading of the cassette;
A second member attached to the opening / closing lid,
When the cassette is loaded, the surface of the cassette that faces the opening / closing lid is provided with a protrusion that can contact the second member when the loading of the cassette is not completed,
When the loading of the cassette is not completed, the loading of the cassette is completed by the second member coming into contact with the first member in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing lid. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the loading of the cassette is reliably completed in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing lid that covers the insertion slot for inserting the cassette, and a means for preventing printing defects due to incomplete loading of the cassette is realized with inexpensive parts. be able to.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a printer. The printer 100 according to the present embodiment is a vertical printing type printing apparatus that performs printing by loading a recording paper / ink sheet integrated cassette, which facilitates the work related to printing and It has a configuration that saves space. Note that the present invention is not limited to such a printer 100 and can be applied to printers having other forms.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an operation switch provided on the housing of the printer 100. The operation switch 101 includes a power switch, menu switch, edit button, image feed button, print execution button, and the like. A discharge port cover 102 is configured to be openable and closable from the housing of the printer 100. When the paper discharge port cover 102 is opened, a paper discharge port for discharging the printed matter is provided. Reference numeral 103 denotes a carrying handle that improves portability. Reference numeral 34 denotes an LCD display unit which displays an image to be printed.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a cassette insertion port of the recording paper ink sheet integrated cassette or a door (open / close lid) covering the cassette, and 105 denotes a door knob for opening the door 20. By operating the door knob 105, the door 20 can be opened. A card slot cover 104 covers card slots (not shown) of various media. The printer 100 can read an image to be printed from various media inserted in the card slot.

  Next, the configuration of the recording paper ink sheet integrated cassette loaded in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an arrow A indicates the insertion direction of the cassette 1 into the printer 100.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording paper ink sheet integrated cassette (hereinafter referred to as cassette) 1 as viewed from the front side. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 7 denotes an upper case of the cassette 1, 8 denotes a lower case of the cassette 1, and the cassette 1 is configured by combining the upper case 7 and the lower case 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes recording paper (printing paper), and a plurality of sheets are stored between the upper case 7 and the lower case 8. Reference numeral 7a denotes an opening formed in the upper case 7, which exposes the recording paper 9 to the outside. Reference numeral 8 a denotes a protrusion protruding in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, and comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the door 20 by the closing operation of the door 20. Details of this will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette 1 as seen from the back side. In FIG. 3, 8b is a supply side storage unit for storing the ink sheet 10 before printing, and 8c is a winding side storage unit for storing the ink sheet 10 after printing. Reference numeral 11 denotes a discharge port for taking out the recording paper 9 one by one from the cassette 1, which is adjacent to the supply side storage portion 8 b in the thickness direction and extends over the entire length in the end portion of the storage portion of the recording paper 9. A rectangular opening is formed. 8e and 8f are separation claws, which are formed at both ends of the discharge port 11 for separating the recording sheets one by one. Reference numeral 10 denotes an ink sheet, a part of which is exposed on the back side of the cassette 1 and is supplied from the supply side storage portion 8b and wound up in the winding side storage portion 8c. Reference numerals 8n denote openings formed in the supply side storage portion 8b and the winding side storage portion 8c, respectively. Although the details will be described later, the opening 8n is formed to move an arm portion 8k (described later) for restricting the rotation of the take-up shaft and the supply shaft of the ink sheet 10 and release the restricted state with respect to the rotation. Is.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette 1 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the ink sheet 10. In FIG. 4, 21a is a supply shaft for supplying the ink sheet 10, and 21b is a take-up shaft. Hereinafter, the supply shaft 21a and the winding shaft 21b are referred to as a first bobbin and a second bobbin, respectively. The first bobbin 21a is provided in the supply side storage portion 8b, and the second bobbin 21b is provided in the winding side storage portion 8c.

  The ink sheet 10 is wound around the first bobbin 21a, and the tip thereof is fixed to the second bobbin 21b by adhesion or the like. The ink sheet 10 is wound around the second bobbin 21b so as to be stored in the ink sheet storage portion 27 or the winding side storage portion 8c formed between the upper case 7 and the lower case 8. .

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a space formed between the ink sheet 10 and the recording paper 9, and is a space where a thermal head 24 described later is located when the cassette 1 is loaded in the printer 100. In addition, an opening 8g is provided in the middle of the supply side storage portion 8b and the winding side storage portion 8c of the lower case 8, and the opening 8g is horizontally long so as to open over substantially the entire length of the lower case 8. Is formed.

  Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing the external appearance of the printer 100 with the door 20 opened. Hereinafter, the structure of the cassette insertion slot and the door 20 of the cassette 1 of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIGS. 5 and 6, an arrow A indicates the insertion direction of the cassette 1 into the printer 100.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the loading of the cassette 1 is completed in the printer 100. As shown in this figure, the cassette 1 is inserted in the longitudinal direction (arrow A direction) in a state where the door 20 of the printer 100 is opened. At the time of insertion, the cassette 1 is guided along a guide (not shown) formed in the cassette insertion slot. Reference numeral 2 denotes a door cover that constitutes an external portion of the door 20. Reference numeral 3 denotes an eject knob for taking out the cassette 1 provided on the main body side of the printer 100 in the vicinity of the rotation axis of the door 20 and switches the position up and down in conjunction with loading of the cassette 1. When releasing the loading state of the cassette 1, the cassette 1 can be taken out by switching the position from the upper side to the lower side. Reference numeral 4 denotes a slide member that can slide up and down, and is provided at a position substantially opposite to the eject knob 3 when the door 20 is closed. Reference numeral 5 denotes an inner cover, which holds the slide member 4 and is continuously provided with a portion constituting an outer appearance portion inside the door cover 2. Reference numeral 25 denotes an engagement hole for fitting the positioning shaft 24 a of the thermal head 24. The slide member 4 corresponds to one configuration example of the first member in the present invention, and the eject knob 3 corresponds to one configuration example of the second member in the present invention.

  A thermal head 24 passes through the space 23 of the cassette 1 and, when the cassette 1 is completely loaded, its tip is exposed to the outside. Reference numeral 24a denotes a positioning shaft of the thermal head 24. When the door 20 is closed, the positioning shaft 24a is fitted into an engagement hole 25 formed on the inner surface of the door 20. By positioning the thermal head 24 with the positioning shaft 24a, the printer 100 is ready for printing.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the loading of the cassette 1 is not completed in the printer 100. As shown in the figure, when loading of the cassette 1 is not completed, the eject knob 3 is positioned on the lower side. When the loading of the cassette 1 is completed, the eject knob 3 moves upward as referred to in FIG. Reference numeral 26 denotes a component (cassette insertion slot) constituting the periphery of the cassette insertion slot.

  Next, a mechanism for moving the eject knob 3 in conjunction with loading of the cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a view of the cassette insertion slot as seen from the insertion direction of the cassette 1 in the state shown in FIG. In this figure, the cassette insertion slot 26 is not shown for convenience of explanation. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 51 denotes a metal internal frame forming a part of the cassette insertion slot. A lock lever 52 is assembled to the inner frame 51, and locks and unlocks the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b (hereinafter collectively referred to as bobbin) of the cassette 1, and integrally forms the eject knob 3. It is a member to be attached.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view for explaining how the inner frame 51 and the lock lever 52 are assembled.

  The eject knob 3 is integrally attached to the lock lever 52. In the lock lever 52, 52 a 1 and 52 a 2 are dowels that are integrally formed or attached to the lock lever 52. In the internal frame 51, 51a1 and 51a2 are long grooves. Each of the dowel 52a1 and dowel 52a2 of the lock lever 52 is slidably fitted into the long groove 51a1 and the long groove 51a2. Reference numeral 56 denotes a spring as an urging member. One end 56 a is attached to the hook portion 51 c of the internal frame 51, and the other end 56 b is attached to the hook portion 52 c of the lock lever 52. That is, in the assembled state, the lock lever 52 is always urged upward by the spring 56.

  Reference numeral 53 denotes a hook lever for restricting the return of the lock lever 52 by the spring 56 when the eject knob 3 is moved downward, that is, when the eject knob 3 is moved to the state shown in FIG. 55 denotes a lever shaft, and 51d denotes a hole into which the lever shaft 55 formed in the inner frame is inserted. Reference numeral 54 denotes a torsion spring for urging the hook lever 53. The hook lever 53 is held in a hole 51d formed in the inner frame 51 by a lever shaft 55, and is urged clockwise by a torsion spring 54 in the drawing.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a peripheral portion of the lock lever 52 viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state when the eject knob 3 is moved downward. In FIG. 9, 52 e is a hook portion formed on the lock lever 52, and 53 a is a convex portion formed on the hook lever 53. In this state, the convex portion 53 a formed on the hook lever 53 abuts on the hook portion 52 e formed on the lock lever 52, thereby restricting the return of the lock lever 52.

  FIG. 10 is a view of the peripheral portion of the lock lever 52 during loading of the cassette 1 as viewed from the inside. In this figure, 8h is a recess formed in the cassette 1 (see also FIG. 3). When the cassette 1 is loaded into the printer 100, the concave portion 8h formed in the cassette 1 comes into contact with the convex portion 53b of the hook lever 53 (see the two-dot chain line), and the hook lever 53 is torsioned about the lever shaft 55. It rotates against the spring 54 (in the direction of the rotation arrow in the figure). When the loading of the cassette 1 is completed, the hook 52e of the lock lever 52 and the protrusion 53a of the hook lever are disengaged, the lock lever 52 is pulled by the spring 56, and slides the length of the long groove 51a. (In the direction of arrow C).

  FIG. 11 is a view of the peripheral portion of the lock lever 52 in a state where the loading of the cassette 1 is completed as viewed from the inside. In this figure, 8j is a groove portion formed in the cassette 1 (see also FIG. 3), and 52d is a convex portion formed in the lock lever 52. As described with reference to FIG. 10 above, when the hook portion 52e of the lock lever 52 and the convex portion 53a of the hook lever are disengaged and the lock lever 52 is pulled by the spring 56, the lock lever 52 becomes longer than the long groove 51a. Slide a minute. In this case, the convex portion 52 d of the lock lever 52 enters the groove portion 8 j of the cassette 1. That is, the cassette 1 is fixed at this position at the same time when the lock lever 52 is stopped. That is, in this state, the cassette 1 cannot be removed in the direction opposite to the arrow A.

  Further, in the above-described movement of the lock lever 52 described above, the rotation and locking of the bobbin (the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b) of the cassette 1 are also performed. Next, this mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  12A is a view showing the cassette 1 and the cassette insertion slot immediately before the cassette 1 is completely loaded into the printer 100, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view at that time. FIG. 13A is a view showing the cassette 1 and the cassette insertion slot in a state where the cassette 1 is completely loaded into the printer 100, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view at that time. 12B and 13B relate to a cross section perpendicular to the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b of the opening 8n of the lower case 8 of the cassette 1 shown in FIG. . 12A, the eject knob 3 is in the lowered state immediately before the cassette 1 is completely loaded, and the eject knob 3 is in the raised state after the cassette loading in FIG. 13A is completed.

  In FIG. 12B, reference numerals 21a1 and 21b1 denote continuous protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b in the vicinity of the lower case opening 8n of the cassette 1. Reference numeral 8k denotes an arm portion which is integrally formed with the lower case 8. 8k2 is a connecting member provided at the upper end portion of the arm portion 8k. The arm portion 8k is connected to the lower case 8 in an extremely thin manner (for example, constituted by an integral hinge), and the arm portion 8k can be freely rotated. I am doing so. Reference numeral 8k1 denotes a claw portion formed substantially at the center of the arm portion 8k. Until the cassette 1 is removed from the printer 100 and before the loading is completed, the claw portions 8k1 engage with the continuous protrusions 21a1 and 21b1 to lock the rotation of the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b. . 8k3 is a spherical convex part, and 8m is a hole provided in the lower case 8. The arm portion 8k is held in a state where it is engaged with the continuous protrusions 21a1 and 21b1, and the spherical convex portion 8k3 formed to protrude toward the front of the paper surface at the lower end of the arm portion 8k is shown in FIG. This is because it is held at this position by entering the hole 8m of the cassette 1 shown.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the movement when the cassette 1 is completely loaded will be described. 52f1 is a cam groove part formed in the lock lever 52, and when the cassette 1 is loaded and the lock lever 52 slides upward, the arm part 8k is moved. That is, the arm portion 8k is rotated counterclockwise in the figure with the ultrathin coupling member 8k2 as the rotation center, and the claw portion 8k1 is separated from the continuous protrusions 21a1 and 21b1 on the outer circumferences of the first bobbin 21a and the second bobbin 21b. Thereby, the 1st bobbin 21a and the 2nd bobbin 21b will be in an unlocked state, and rotation of a bobbin will become free. Since the first bobbin 21a1 and the second bobbin 21b can be locked and unlocked in this way, printing is started with the cassette 1 being incompletely loaded, and the bobbin is locked. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects.

  52f2 is also a cam groove. When the cassette 1 is taken out from the printer 100 in FIG. 13, when the eject knob 3 is lowered in the direction of arrow C, the arm portion 8k is moved by the cam groove portion 52f2 of the lock lever 52 and rotates clockwise in the drawing, and the above-described configuration. The bobbin is held locked. At the same time, the convex portion 52d of the lock lever 52 escapes from the groove 8j of the cassette 1, so that the cassette 1 can be taken out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. Here, the cassette 1 jumps out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by a spring (not shown). At the same time, the lock lever 52 is locked by the hook lever 53 by the above-described configuration.

  Next, a cassette loading incomplete prevention mechanism, which is the main focus of the present invention, of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the door 20 is opened before the loading of the cassette 1 is completed. The incomplete set loading prevention mechanism described here is mainly composed of a slide member 4 provided at a position substantially opposite to the eject knob 3 in a state in which the door 20 is closed. In the slide member 4, 4 a is an abutting portion for abutting the eject knob 3.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing the slide member 4. As shown in this figure, the contact portion 4a has a cam shape (typically, a slope cam). Reference numeral 4 b denotes a hook portion that engages a spring that is an urging member, and 4 c denotes a tip portion of the slide member 4. 4d is a convex part which contacts the cassette 1 and assists the closing operation. Reference numeral 4 e denotes a long groove portion that fits into a dowel 5 b formed on the inner cover 5 that constitutes the inner surface of the door 20. Such a slide member 4 is assembled to the door 20.

  FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the door 20. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 5 denotes an inner cover that constitutes the inner surface of the door 20. A spring 18 is attached at one end to the hook portion 4 b of the slide member 4 and biases in the direction of arrow D, and the other end is attached to the hook portion 5 a formed on the inner cover 5. Reference numeral 5b denotes a dowel, which is fitted with the long groove portion 4e of the slide member 4 and serves as a guide for sliding in the direction of the arrow D. Reference numerals 5c1 and 5c2 denote openings formed in the inner cover 5 for exposing the contact portions 4a and convex portions 4d of the slide member 4 to the outside. Further, 4f and 4F are projecting ribs formed on the back surface of the slide member 4, and are portions that come into contact with the back surface of the door cover 2. By making the rib shape, the contact area with the door cover 2 can be reduced, and the slide can be made. Improves mobility. Reference numeral 19 denotes a metal rod serving as a rotation shaft of the door 20, which is sandwiched between the door cover 2 and the inner cover 5 and attached to the printer 100. In this way, the slide member 4 is assembled to the door 20.

  Next, the cassette loading incomplete prevention mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. When the door 20 is closed so that the opening angle of the door 20 from the printer 100 is reduced by pressing the exterior surface of the door cover 2 from the state before the loading of the cassette 1 shown in FIG. 14 is completed. The abutting portion 4 a of the slide member 4 abuts on the eject knob 3. At this time, the slide member 4 slides downward, and the tip portion 4c portion enters the lower surface portion 3a of the eject knob 3 referred to in FIG. 14, and the position of the slide member 4 is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a view of the door 20 in a position where the slide member 4 is lowered. When the slide member 4 is lowered, the convex portion 4d is positioned to face the protruding portion 8a of the cassette 1 referred to in FIG. At this time, the protrusion 4d is not in contact with the protrusion 8a. When the closing operation of the door 20 is further advanced, the convex portion 4d of the slide member 4 comes into contact with the protruding portion 8a of the cassette 1, and the cassette 1 is inserted into the printer 100 as the door 20 is further closed. When the cassette 1 is pushed to the loading completion position, the eject knob 3 moves upward as described above, and the cassette 1 is fixed.

  When the cassette 1 is fixed, the slide member 4 is urged upward by the spring 18, so that the slide member 4 is moved upward by moving the eject knob 3 that restricts the upward movement of the slide member 4. Slide to. Thereby, the convex part 4d of the slide member 4 comes off from the contact position with the projection part 8a of the cassette 1. The closing operation of the door 20 continues and the claw portion 2a of the door cover 2 is engaged with the engaging portion of the printer 100 (not shown), whereby the closing operation of the door 20 is completed. After the above operation, the printer 100 is in the closed state of the door 20 shown in FIG. When the door 20 is closed, the projection 8a of the cassette 1 is accommodated in the opening 5c2 so as to effectively use the space.

  With the configuration described above, a cassette loading incomplete prevention mechanism is realized. Thus, even when the cassette 1 is not fully loaded in the printer, loading of the cassette 1 is reliably completed in conjunction with the closing operation of the door 20. Further, when the loading of the cassette 1 is completed, the cassette 1 is fixed as described above. Therefore, if the slide member 4 and the cassette 1 are in contact with each other even after the loading is completed, the claw portion 2a of the door cover 2 is It cannot move to the engagement position, and the closing operation of the door 20 is not completed. This is because it is necessary to complete the loading of the cassette 1 slightly before the closing operation of the door 20 is completed. If the timing of the closing operation of the door 20 and the completion of loading of the cassette 1 is the same, the cassette 1 Depending on the position of the completion of loading and the variation of the position of the slide member 4, there is a possibility that incomplete loading of the cassette 1 or the closing operation of the door 20 cannot be completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the cassette 1 is pushed to the loading completion position, the convex portion 4d of the slide member 4 slides upward and deviates from the contact position with the protruding portion 8a.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 18, a desirable form in the positional relationship between the eject knob 3 and the protrusion 8 a of the cassette 1 will be described. As described above, the timing of contact between the contact portion 4a of the slide member 4 and the eject knob 3 needs to be earlier than the contact between the convex portion 4d of the slide member 4 and the protruding portion 8a of the cassette 1. Therefore, it is desirable that the contact portion 4a with the eject knob 3 is located on the inner side with respect to the rotation shaft (metal bar 19) of the door than the convex portion 4d with which the protrusion portion 8a of the cassette 1 is in contact. In this way, the contact portion 4a can be made more compact by placing it on the rotating shaft side than the convex portion 4d.

  FIG. 18 is a view showing the position of the eject knob 3 as seen from the upper side of the door 20 in the rotation axis direction. In FIG. 18, the angle A ° is an angle at which the abutting portion 4 a of the eject knob 3 and the slide member 4 starts to abut, and the angle B ° is a little at which the convex portion 4 d of the slide member 4 abuts on the protruding portion 8 a of the cassette 1. This is the front angle. The contact portion 4a of the slide member 4 needs to sink under the eject knob 3 until the door opening angle changes from the angle A ° to B °. Therefore, when the eject knob 3 is located outside the cassette protrusion 8a with respect to the rotation center axis of the door 20, the eject knob 3 must be made as large as 3x. In this case, it is necessary to bulge the external surface 2b of the door cover 2 so that the eject knob 3 can be accommodated therein, which is disadvantageous for making the printer 100 compact. Therefore, it is desirable that the contact portion 4a with the eject knob 3 is located on the inner side with respect to the rotation shaft (metal rod 19) of the door than the convex portion 4d with which the protrusion portion 8a of the cassette 1 is in contact.

Finally, the printing operation of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 when one sheet of recording paper 9 is separated from the cassette 1. In FIG. 19, 61 is a pressure plate, 62 is a paper feed roller, 63 is a switchback roller, 64 is a sub-roller, 65 is an opening, 67 is a platen roller, 68 is a grip roller, and 69 is a pinch roller. 70 is a paper discharge roller, and 71 is a spur roller at a position facing it. A storage unit 72 stores printed recording paper.

  In FIG. 19, the pressure plate 61 presses the recording paper 9 toward the paper feed roller 62 when feeding paper. When the pressure plate 61 presses the recording paper 9 from the opening 7a of the upper case 7 of the cassette 1 toward the paper feed roller 62 with a predetermined pressure, the paper feed roller 62 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. As a result, only one sheet of recording paper 9 in contact with the paper feed roller 62 moves downward in the figure, nail separation is performed, and the recording paper 9 is discharged from the discharge port 11 of the cassette 1. Subsequently, the recording paper 9 is transported by the rotation of the paper feed roller 62, and the leading end 9 a of the recording paper 9 passes through the switchback roller 63 and is further transported by the switchback roller 63 and the sub roller 64 facing it. . Then, the recording paper 9 comes out of the printer 100 from the opening 65 and is in the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 with the recording paper 9 completely pulled out from the cassette 1. When the recording paper is conveyed by the switchback roller 63 from the state of FIG. 19, the state of FIG. 20 is obtained. From this state, the switchback roller 63 rotates reversely, and the recording paper 9 is conveyed into the printer 100 main body.

  FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 in the middle of printing. In the printing operation, first, the ink sheet 10 and the recording paper 9 are pressed against each other by the thermal head 24 and the platen roller 67. Then, while the ink on the ink sheet 10 is thermally transferred to the recording paper 9 by the heat generated by the thermal head 24, the recording paper 9 is conveyed by the grip roller 68 and the pinch roller 69 provided downstream in the printing direction. When the printing of the first color is finished, the pressure contact of the thermal head 24 is released, the grip roller 68 and the pinch roller 69 are rotated in the reverse direction to the printing operation, and the recording paper 9 is returned to the printing start position. The second and subsequent colors are printed by operation. In this way, full-color printing is performed by superimposing three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

  FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 in a state where printing of the recording paper 9 is completed and discharged to the storage unit 72. When printing is completed, the recording paper 9 is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 70 and the spur roller 71, and the spur roller 71 kicks the leading end 9 a of the recording paper 9 toward the storage portion 72, whereby the printed recording paper is stored in the storage portion 72. The state shown in FIG. 22 is obtained. When the user performs a printing operation, the above operation is repeated, and the printed recording sheets are stacked in the storage unit 72.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. That is, the printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes the eject knob 3 whose position is switched depending on whether or not the cassette 1 is loaded and the slide member 4 provided on the door 20 covering the cassette insertion slot. A complete prevention mechanism is realized.
Specifically, the slide member 4 is biased to one side, and moves by contacting the eject knob 3 by the closing operation of the door 20, and the convex portion 4 d of the slide member 4 contacts the cassette 1 as the movement occurs. The cassette 1 is moved to a position where it can contact and the cassette 1 is moved to the loading completion position. Then, after the cassette loading is completed, the eject knob 3 is moved. In conjunction with this, the slide member 4 is moved to a position where it is retracted from the cassette 1, and the closing operation is further advanced so that the closing operation of the door 20 is completed. I have to. With such a configuration, even if the loading of the cassette 1 is incomplete, the cassette 20 is automatically moved to the fully loaded position by closing the door 20, so that the loading of the cassette 1 is reliably completed. It becomes possible to do.
In such a printer 100, since it is possible to perform reliable loading completion work with relatively inexpensive parts without using a detection switch, a board on which the detection switch is mounted, a print control board, or the like, cost reduction and assembly are possible. Work in the process can be facilitated.
Further, in the printer 100, the portion of the slide member 4 that comes into contact with the eject knob 3 has a cam shape (contact portion 4a). Accordingly, a part of the slide member 4 can be moved to the pushing position of the cassette 1 without imposing a large load on the closing operation of the door 20, and the cassette 1 is loaded by the smooth closing operation of the door 20. Is possible.
Further, the distance between the portion of the slide member 4 in contact with the eject knob 3 and the center of the rotation axis of the door 20 is made smaller than the distance of the portion of the slide member 4 in contact with the cassette 1 from the center of the rotation axis of the door 20. I have to. Thereby, the eject knob 3 can be reduced in size, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

1 is an external view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the cassette with which the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is loaded from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the cassette with which the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is loaded from the back side. It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding shaft of an ink sheet of the cassette with which the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is loaded. It is the figure which showed the state which loading of the cassette was completed in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where cassette loading is incomplete in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the cassette insertion part of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the mode of the assembly | attachment of the internal frame 51 and the lock lever 52 which comprise the cassette insertion part of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the peripheral part of the lock lever which locks the door which covers the cassette insertion part of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the peripheral site | part of the lock lever in the middle of cassette loading in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the inner side. It is the figure which looked at the peripheral part of the lock lever of the state which loaded the cassette in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the inside. It is the figure which showed the cassette just before completion of loading of a cassette and the cassette insertion part in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the cassette and cassette insertion part of the state which completed loading of the cassette in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure of the state in which the door before loading of a cassette was completed in the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention was opened. It is the figure which showed the front side of the slide member provided in the door of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the door of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the mode of the door when the slide member of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention moved. It is the figure which showed the position of the eject knob seen from the rotating shaft direction upper side of the door of the printer which concerns on embodiment of invention. In the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of a printer when the sheet of recording paper is isolate | separated from the cassette. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer in a state where the recording paper is completely pulled out from the cassette in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the printer in the state in the middle of printing. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer in a state where printing of the recording paper is completed and discharged to a storage unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a general view of a conventional printer in a state where loading of a cassette is completed. It is the figure which showed the conventional printer before the loading of a cassette is completed. In the conventional printer, it is the figure which showed the detection switch which detects ON / OFF by the position of an eject knob. In the conventional printer, it is the figure which showed the detection switch when loading of a cassette was completed.

Explanation of symbols

  1 cassette, 2 door cover, 2a claw part, 3 eject knob, 4 slide member, 4a contact part, 4b hook part, 4c tip part, 4d convex part, 4e long groove part, 4f protruding rib, 5 inner cover, 5b dowel 5c1, 5c2 opening, 7 upper case, 8 lower case, 8a protrusion, 8b supply side storage, 8c take-up side storage, 8e, 8f separation claw, 8g opening, 8h recess, 8j groove, 8k arm , 8k1 claw part, 8k2 connecting member, 8k3 spherical convex part, 8m hole part, 8n opening part, 9 recording paper, 10 ink sheet, 11 discharge port, 18 spring, 19 metal rod, 20 door, 21a supply shaft (first Bobbin), 21b winding shaft (second bobbin), 21a1, 21b1 continuous protrusion, 23 space, 24a positioning shaft, 25 engagement hole, 26 cassette insertion Parts, 28 Ink sheet storage, 34 LCD display, 51 Internal frame, 51a1, 51a2 Long groove, 51c Hook, 51d Hole, 52 Lock lever, 52a1, 52a2 Dowel, 52d Convex, 52e Hook, 53 Hook lever, 53a convex part, 54 torsion spring, 55 lever shaft, 56 spring, 100 printer, 101 operation switch, 102 paper outlet cover, 103 carrying handle, 104 card slot cover, 105 door knob.

Claims (6)

A cassette loading structure in a printer apparatus that includes a cassette insertion slot for loading a cassette on which an ink sheet is wound, and an open / close lid that can be opened and closed so as to cover the cassette insertion slot, and that prints ink on the ink sheet on photographic paper. There,
A first member whose position is switched upon completion of loading of the cassette;
A second member attached to the opening / closing lid,
When the cassette is loaded, the surface of the cassette that faces the opening / closing lid is provided with a protrusion that can contact the second member when the loading of the cassette is not completed,
When the loading of the cassette is not completed, the loading of the cassette is completed by the second member coming into contact with the first member in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing lid. A cassette loading structure characterized by that.   2. The cassette loading structure according to claim 1, wherein the second member is in contact with the first member at a position of the first member before completion of loading of the cassette. When the loading of the cassette is not completed, the second member comes into contact with the first member by the closing operation of the opening / closing lid, so that a part of the second member contacts the cassette. Move to a position where it can touch, and complete the loading of the cassette by moving the cassette to the loading completion position,
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the loading of the cassette is completed, the first member moves, and in conjunction with this, the second member moves to a position where the second member retracts from the cassette. Cassette loading structure.   The cassette loading structure according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the second member that contacts the first member has a cam shape.   The position of the portion of the second member that contacts the first member from the rotation axis center of the opening / closing lid is the rotation of the opening / closing lid of the portion that contacts the cassette that is a part of the second member. The cassette loading structure according to claim 3, wherein the cassette loading structure is closer to the position from the axial center.   4. The cassette loading structure according to claim 3, wherein after the loading of the cassette is completed, a storage portion for storing a contact portion between the cassette and the second member is formed in the opening / closing lid.

Images